MP's bill could change course of poll

MP Stuart Nash. Photo / Ben Fraser

A bill which could change the course of the vote on Hawke's Bay's local government amalgamation could be debated in Parliament for the first time within the next few weeks.

But it's a big "could" for Napier MP Stuart Nash who says that even if the member's bill which was uncannily drawn from a ballot yesterday has the easiest of rides through the legislature it's unlikely to be in place by the time the postal-vote amalgamation poll closes on September 15.

Mr Nash's Local Government Act 2002 (Greater Local Democracy) Amendment Bill seeks to block the poll being decided on a single region-wide vote, with legislation allowing for individual districts to vote out the Local Government Commission proposal to create a single local authority for the area of the Hawke's Bay Regional Council.

If successful, it would "restore democracy" which had been in place until the National Government "opened the door to forced super councils through its local government reforms in 2012".

"My bill will reinstate the requirement for a ratepayer referendum to be held in each affected district or region to ensure there is majority support for any amalgamation," he said. "This is particularly important in my own region where opinion is divided on a proposed super council for Hawke's Bay."

Mr Nash said it would give ratepayers a say in what happens in their districts and cities, unlike the super-city structure forced on people in Auckland.

He said he will now lobby parties and MPs, including contacting every mayor in the country to urge them to lobby their MPs to support the bill.

He's already contacting potential supporters in Parliament, buoyed by Wednesday's close vote on a member's bill from New Zealand First leader Winston Peter seeking three free doctor's visits a year for the over 65s.

It was defeated by just a single vote.

A Better Hawke's Bay, the group which initiated the LGCs proposal, argues Mr Nash's bill is "fundamentally flawed".

Founding member Rebecca Turner said it would mean the "14 or so" constituents in the Rangitikei Regional Council area - the only eligible voters not from Wairoa, Napier, Hastings or Central Hawke's Bay - would be able to stop the wishes of the majority of Hawke's Bay people.

"It seems like all this bill does is stop the democratic right of the entire region," she said.

"This is exactly why A Better Hawke's Bay pushed for a vote, so Hawke's Bay people can decide whether they want amalgamation of our councils. Stuart Nash's bill would give the people of Rangitikei the power to block the wishes of all the other 110,000 voters in Hawke's Bay."